RoadVitals

1991 Ford F-53

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Sep 22, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 13, 1993
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Ford F-53, most frequently naming the brakes category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes2100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
93V146000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Sep 13, 1993
17,400 units potentially affected
The defect: BRAKE LINES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ARE ROUTED TOO NEAR THE LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO OVERHEAT.
The risk: BRAKE FLUID LOSES VISCOSITY WHEN IT OVERHEATS, CAUSINGLOSS OF BRAKES OR INCREASED VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.
The remedy: FORD WILL INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD AND BRAKE LINE INSULATION ON ENGINE COMPARTMENT BRAKE LINES.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Sep 22, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD WINNEBAGO F-53 CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE DELAYED TO STOP AND ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,542.

NHTSA ID
10638098
Incident
Apr 5, 2013
Mileage
60,542 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 24, 2003

I HAVE A SEVERE BREAK FADING PROBLEM. I HAPPENS AFTER YOU HAVE DESCENDED A STEEP DOWNGRADE AND STOP. AT THAT POINT THE BREAK PEDAL GOES COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. AFTER A RESTING PERIOD THE PEDAL COMES BACK AGAIN. FORD HAS TOLD ME THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH MY 1991 M53, 50,000 MILES, IS TO DO A $2,500.00 TO $3,000.00 OVERHAUL OF THE BREAK SYSTEM USING PHONELIC PARTS. I FEEL IF AN EXTENSIVE OVERHAUL IS REQUIRED AT THIS POINT, IT WAS A SYSTEM DESIGNED TO FAIL. A SYSTEM DEFECT. THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE COST THE LIFE OF MY WIFE AND TWO OF MY GRANDCHILDREN AND MYSELF. I HAVE BEEN RESTRICTED TO DRIVING ON FLATLAND EVER SINCE THIS INSTANCE ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET AN ANSWER OR A CORRECTION BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE ONE EXCEPT $2,500- $3,000. I FEEL FORD HAS A RESPONSIBILITY HERE AND SHOULD PAY ALL OR A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE CORRECTION OF THEIR DESIGN ERROR. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10016465
Incident
May 20, 2001
Mileage
49,100 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

98167

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION-E40D-NO 2-3 UPSHIFT. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 2-3 UPSHIFT CONDITION. *AK

985A12

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:WRECKER AND WHEEL LIFT DEVICES

RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT

962413

SUSPENSION:REAR

SUSPENSION - FRONT OR REAR - SIDE-TOSIDE LEVELING PROCEDURES AND ATTITUDE SERVICE KITS FOR F53 RV BASIC STRIPPED CHASSIS. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford F-53 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026020—
2025130—
2024410—
2023410—
2022320—
2021132037.3
2020322042.4
2019600—
2018111143.0
2017610—
2016151037.9
2015700—
2014171145.8
2013810—
2012110—
2011710—
2010100—
2009000—
2008100—
2007000—
2006000—
2004000—
2003200—
2002010—
2001510—
2000210—
1999152143.2
1998110—
1997320—
1996220—
1995620—
1994010—
1993010—
1992310—
1991Viewing210—
1990310—
1989010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.